Standard work time

Colombia's standard work time is 48 hours per week, established as the maximum ordinary working hours that employers may require from employees in a standard employment relationship.

The standard work time rule governs the baseline duration of employment contracts and sets the threshold above which additional compensation or time-off provisions typically apply. This regulation applies to most private and public sector employees and forms the foundation for calculating overtime, rest periods, and leave entitlements. The 48-hour weekly limit is divided across working days, commonly structured as eight hours per day over six days, though employers may arrange schedules differently provided the total does not exceed the statutory maximum without triggering overtime obligations.

The Colombian Labor Code (Código Sustantivo del Trabajo) contains the primary provisions governing standard work time. Article 161 of the Labor Code establishes the 48-hour weekly maximum, and this framework has remained consistent in recent years, though interpretations regarding flexible work arrangements and remote work have evolved with modern employment practices.

Employers must ensure that employee schedules comply with the 48-hour ceiling during ordinary working periods. Any hours worked beyond this threshold must be compensated as overtime, typically at a premium rate (25 percent on ordinary days, 75 percent on Sundays and public holidays). Payroll teams should document actual hours worked, maintain clear records of any overtime authorization, and ensure wage calculations reflect the applicable overtime multipliers. Compliance with standard work time rules is monitored by the Ministry of Labor and violations can result in administrative penalties and back-wage claims.